The U.S. and South Korea confirmed their first coronavirus patients on the same day. Yet South Korea is containing its outbreak while cases in the U.S. have soared.
South Korea learned from its traumatic experience with its MERS outbreak in 2015. But, this time, the country has contained COVID-19 with its Trace, Test, Treat” program (and a little help from K-pop megastars, BTS). More than 350,000 South Koreans were tested by the end of March. The country hasn’t seen the lockdowns that are in place in the rest of the world.
Despite an outbreak traced back to patient 31” and a cluster centering around the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, South Korea managed to flatten the curve of infections. Now its policies are being praised as the gold standard of dealing with coronavirus. What can the U.S. learn from South Korea’s handling of the crisis? Is it already too late? And how are the two countries set up differently going into this unprecedented health crisis?
By Takis Pappas, Political scientist, the University of Helsinki, Finland* Courtesy Greek Reporter
When the covid-19 pandemic broke out in Europe, no government had any experience of how to face it and each tried to weather the storm in its own ways. Some governments fared better, some less so.
By and large, there are three major factors that have determined, and still do, how governments cope with the virus.
These are, first, the resoluteness and efficiency of their leadership; second, the capacity of states and public health systems in particular to deal with such an extraordinary health crisis situation; and, third, the cooperation of national publics in following emergency rules.
At a more specific level, as shown by an even cursory comparison of the Spanish and Greek experiences with the pandemic, it seems that a well-integrated and liberal government performs significantly better than one which is disunited and, moreover, diluted with populists. Let’s have a closer look at the two cases.
At the time of this writing (April 5, 2020), Spain has close to 130,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus victims and about 12,000 deaths. At the same time, Greece has about 1,700 confirmed cases and 68 deaths.
So, the question is: Why these two Mediterranean countries, whose people are equally sun-loving, bar-hopping, and intensely social, and which should have drawn the same lessons from Italy’s preceding experience, have had such different fates during the early phase of the coronavirus crisis? The answer is simple, almost mundane: Different governments!
The little comparison table below shows the reaction of Italy, Spain, and Greece to the coronavirus outbreak. It reveals three things.
First of all, Italy, the first country in Europe to be hit by the virus with catastrophic results, offered valuable lessons that shouldn’t be missed by other governments.
Secondly, Spain’s government failed to learn and, in fact, performed even worse than Italy.
And, finally, among these countries, Greece is by far the best performer in confronting the pandemic, at least so far.
It certainly helped, of course, that Greece has a centralized state administration system which, unlike in Spain or Italy, facilitates the fast implementation at regional and local levels of decisions taken at top state level. But this explains only part of the different reactions to the pandemic in Spain and Greece. Let’s have a closer look beginning with the case of Italy, which served as a backdrop against which the Spanish and Greek governments made their decisions.
Data collected from various sources by the author
Italy, indeed, offered early valuable lessons to any government that was willing to learn. Coronavirus was confirmed there on January 31, when a traveling Chinese couple, originally from Wuhan, China, tested positive in Rome. In the next three weeks, more cases of infection were confirmed in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto and, on February 22, the first death from the coronavirus was reported.
From there on, the number of deaths in Italy went into an upward spiral. By March 5, as the number of the deceased had reached one hundred, the government shut down all schools and universities nationwide.
On March 8, with the number of confirmed cases approaching 6,000, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte extended the quarantine lockout to all of Lombardy and other northern provinces, which, at the time, was the most radical measure to combat the virus taken anywhere outside China. On March 10, the government expanded the quarantine to all of Italy and ordered Italians to stay at home.
From the first confirmed case, it took the Italian government 38 days (and 16 days since the first death) before it imposed a first nationwide lockdown. It was, unfortunately, too late. A few days later, on March 19, Italy became the country with the highest number of confirmed deaths in the world, according to figures reported by government sources.
Clearly, then, the chief lesson from Italy was that governments elsewhere would need to react early and take the most aggressive measures in order to check the pandemic. But the reactions of the governments in Spain and Greece couldn’t have differed more than they actually did. And that had very different consequences in each of these two countries.
Spain, first, was reluctant to learn from Italy. We are going to have only a handful of cases,” asserted Dr. Fernando Simón, an epidemiologist serving as the head of medical emergencies in Madrid, on February 9. Even as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus continued to increase, the Spanish government still resisted taking mitigating steps so as to combat the spread of the virus; in fact, it initially defended the decision to let mass gatherings go on.
On March 8, about 120,000 people were allowed to march through the center of Madrid to celebrate international Women’s Day and some 60,000 soccer fans filled one of the city’s stadiums. During that same weekend, 9,000 supporters of Vox, an upcoming right-wing party, gathered inside a former bullring.
By Friday, March 13, Spain already had the second highest number of coronavirus infections of any European country after Italy, now facing the fastest spreading contagion on the continent and an already overwhelmed health care system. Two ministers of Sánchez’s cabinet, including Irene Montero, the partner of Deputy Premier Pablo Iglesias and who had participated in the women’s march, tested positive. Another prominent victim of the virus was Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox.
It was only then, on March 13, one full month after the first death from the virus was reported (February 13) and with the tally of deaths at 189, that the government decided to close all schools and declare a state of emergency across the country. Why was all this allowed to happen?
PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez and Unidas Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias formed Spain’s first post-authoritarian coalition government in January 2020
For one thing, it didn’t help that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez leads a leftist minority government which only formed with difficulty after the inconclusive elections in November of 2019.
In the aftermath of that contest, Sánchez, leader of the center-left PSOE, and Pablo Iglesias, leader of left populist Unidas Podemos, formed an alliance which subsequently produced Spain’s first coalition government since its transition to democracy. The new government, consisting of the prime minister, four deputy prime ministers and 22 ministers, formed on January 13, 2020.
Nor did it help that Podemos as a populist party has thrived on political polarization, often militated against the legality of Spain’s institutions for allegedly failing to serve the people’s interests, and typically opposes technocracy and the expert knowledge stemming from it. All that played at the level of micro-politics with disastrous consequences.
Friday, March 13 was a critical moment. Sánchez announced his intention to enact emergency measures and decree a state of alarm across all the country on the following day. But things went terribly wrong.
The coalition government’s Council of Ministers, which was meant to include only ministers considered essential for responding to the crisis, was marred by intense infighting. Pablo Iglesias, who was supposed to be in quarantine after his partner had tested positive for the virus, appeared unexpectedly at the Council, objecting the concentration of powers under the ministries of interior, defense, transport, and health, all headed by PSOE politicians, and demanding that his party be given prominent roles in the national emergency situation.
He also insisted that the government take social measures for helping poor families, such as paying rents and mortgages. According to El País, the minister of finance rejected the proposal for the high cost it involved amid the developing economic crisis.
The Council of Ministers meeting lasted eight hours and ended with acrimony on both sides — with dire consequences for the country. It first of all delayed the implementation of lockdown and other emergency measures, and also led to the cancelling of a teleconference planned for the same day between Sánchez and the leaders of Spain’s regional governments.
Even worse, since all that happened on a sunny Saturday, several people from Madrid and other big cities left for the regions, bringing the virus with them. One such case was José María Aznar, Spain’s former conservative prime minister, who moved to his holiday villa in the rich resort of Marbella, fueling public anger against him and the government alike.
Meantime, as the death toll kept rising, Spain’s fissured coalition government utterly failed to rally the opposition parties to its side for creating a unified front against the pandemic. Pablo Casado, the leader of the center-right People’s Party, accused Prime Minister Sánchez for spreading lies and misinformation, while ultra-right Vox called for Sánchez’s resignation and replacement by a government of national unity.
To make things even worse, most of the regional governments, especially in separatist Catalonia, missed no chance to show their displeasure with the incompetence of, and health crisis mismanagement by, the central state administration.
How different from Spain was the reaction to the coronavirus pandemic in the other Mediterranean country, Greece!
For starters, the effect of the virus in Greece was a particularly big setback since the country was just coming out of years of recession and recent projections for its economic future were quite optimistic.
But the Greek government was quick to learn from Italy and Spain, and act decisively and swiftly, despite having to simultaneously face additional difficulties.
In February, Turkey ignited a refugee crisis by opening its border with Greece to Europe and aiding thousands of displaced persons to cross it. Greece responded by strengthening the border with soldiers and armed police, soliciting the support of her EU partners, and by refusing to accept asylum applications for a period of one month. The situation at the border remained tense during most of March, which diverted part of the Greek government’s attention to that crucial front.
Another problem was the cramped living conditions in refugee camps in both Greece’s islands and the mainland. And yet, the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak was frankly outstanding, as it determined to reduce the spread of the virus within the country and flatten the curve as early as possible in the hope that the long-term effects on both society and the economy could be minimized. Here’s what happened in Greece, in brief.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces measures against the pandemic
The first case in Greece of a person to test positive – a woman who had recently traveled to Milan – was reported on February 26 and, on the following day, two more cases were confirmed.
That same day, Greece’s minister of health cancelled all planned Carnival events throughout the country and the government banned all educational trips abroad.
Only thirteen days later, on March 10, with the number of confirmed cases totaling 89 and no deaths, the government closed all daycare centers, schools, and universities nationwide.
On March 11, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a nationally televised address, urged the public to follow the instructions of doctors and other experts, and admonished the Church to refrain from delivering holy communion and instead cooperate with the state authorities in enforcing the public health regulations.
On March 12 the first death from coronavirus was reported in Greece. In the few days to follow, the government shut down theaters, cinemas, restaurants, bars, shopping centers, playgrounds, museums, courthouses, parks, recreational areas, marinas, organized beaches and ski resorts; it only excluded supermarkets, pharmacies and food outlets.
Eventually, the government suspended all religious services, including the Sunday liturgies of the Greek Orthodox church, and also announced the closure of most hotels in the country and subjected all Greek citizens returning from abroad to mandatory 14-day quarantine.
During March, the Greek Prime Minister gave five nationally televised addresses (on 11, 17, 19, 22 and 25 March), every time explaining to the Greek people the development of the situation and asking them to comply to the new rules.
The government’s infectious disease spokesman, epidemiologist Sotiris Tsiodras, goes on TV every afternoon to both brief journalists and offer advice to citizens. As for Greece’s significant opposition parties, they all showed an admirable sense of social responsibility, political moderation, and even readiness to support the government in its difficult decisions during the crisis.
The major moral from the different stories of pandemic prevention in Spain and Greece is that governments matter a great deal.
More specifically, they need to set aside their political compulsion and listen to experts and other technocrats; they must act early and swiftly; and they should be efficient in making working trade-offs with the society at large, various economic interest groups, and, perhaps more importantly, the political opposition.
So far, Spain’s government has unfortunately failed in all these areas, at an enormous cost to Spanish society. And the Greek government gets all credit due for its success in preventing the wild spread of the virus and minimizing the suffering Greek society would otherwise have had to endure.
*Takis Pappas is a trained political scientist with a PhD from Yale University and leading world expert on populism, democracy, and political leadership. The above article was published in his blog https://pappaspopulism.com/. The original article titled The politics of pandemic prevention in Spain and Greece is republished here courtesy of the author.
Customers select seafood at a wet market in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, in 2017. (Philip Wen/Reuters)
They’re more alike than not in their violations of moral common sense.NRPLUS MEMBER ARTICLEAlthough no government is better than China’s at making troublesome people disappear, a strange leniency has been accorded vendors at the country’s live-animal meat markets, who by most accounts gave us the pandemic and yet, reports the Daily Mail, have lately been allowed to set up shop again. China’s coronavirus lockdown is over, authorities have encouraged celebrations of victory,” and citizens may once again go about their food shopping amid the cries and mayhem of animal slaughter. Ahh, back to normal life!
In these parts, we’re told, you’re not really celebrating unless there’s bat, pangolin, cat, or dog meat on the table — the latter, notes the Daily Mail, a traditional ‘warming’ winter dish.” Reporter George Knowles, writing late last month, provides one of the milder accounts of scenes that will quickly exhaust anyone’s supply of culturally sensitive euphemisms, describing one of the markets — also known as wet markets,” where both live and dead animals are on offer — in China’s southwestern city of Guilin: Terrified dogs and cats crammed into rusty cages. Bats and scorpions offered for sale as traditional medicine. Rabbits and ducks slaughtered and skinned side by side on a stone floor covered with blood, filth, and animal remains.”
If you’re up for a few further details, we have travel writer Paula Froelich, in a recent New York Post column, recalling how in the Asian live-animal markets she has visited the doomed creatures stare back at you.” When their turn comes, she writes,
the animals that have not yet been dispatched by the butcher’s knife make desperate bids to escape by climbing on top of each other and flopping or jumping out of their containers (to no avail). At least in the wet areas [where marine creatures are sold], the animals don’t make a sound. The screams from mammals and fowl are unbearable and heartbreaking.
The People’s Republic has supposedly banned the exotic-meat trade, and one major city, Shenzhen, has proscribed dog and cat meat as well. In reality, observes a second Daily Mail correspondent, anonymously reporting from the city of Dongguan, the markets have gone back to operating in exactly the same way as they did before coronavirus.” Nothing has changed, except in one feature: The only difference is that security guards try to stop anyone taking pictures, which would never have happened before.”
Lest we hope too much for some post-pandemic stirring of conscience, consider the Chinese government’s idea of a palliative for those suffering from the coronavirus. As the crisis spread, apparently some fast-thinking experts in traditional medicine” at China’s National Health Commission turned to an ancient remedy known as Tan Re Qing, adding it to their official list of recommended treatments. The potion consists chiefly of bile extracted from bears. The more fortunate of these bears are shot in the wild for use of their gallbladders. The others, across China and Southeast Asia, are captured and farmed” by the thousands, in a process that involves their interminable, year-after-year confinement in fit-to-size cages, interrupted only by the agonies of having the bile drained. Do an image search on bear bile farming” sometime when you’re ready to be reminded of what hellish animal torments only human stupidity, arrogance, and selfishness could devise.
If one abomination could yield an antidote for the consequences of another, Tan Re Qing would surely be just the thing to treat a virus loosed in the pathogenic filth and blood-spilling of Wuhan’s live market. There’s actually a synthetic alternative to the bile acids, but Tradition can be everything in these matters, and devotees insist that the substance must come from a bear, even as real medical science rates the whole concoction at somewhere between needless and worthless. President Xi Jinping has promoted such traditional medicines as a treasure of Chinese civilization.” In this case, the keys to the treasure open small, squalid cages in dark rooms, where the suffering of innocent creatures goes completely disregarded. And perhaps right there, in the willfulness and hardness of heart of all such practices, is the source of the trouble that started in China.
Already, in the Western media, chronologies of the pandemic have taken to passing over details of the live-animal markets, which have caused viral outbreaks before and would all warrant proper judgment in any case. News coverage picks up the story with the Chinese government’s cover-up of early coronavirus cases and its silencing of the heroic Wuhan doctors and nurses who tried to warn us. To brush past the live markets in fear of seeming xenophobic,” racist,” or unduly judgmental of other people and other ways is, however, to lose sight of perhaps the most crucial fact of all. We don’t know the endpoint of this catastrophe, but we are pretty certain that its precise point of origin was what Dr. Anthony Fauci politely calls that unusual human–animal interface” of the live markets, which he says should all be shut down immediately — presumably including the markets quietly tolerated in our own country. In other words, the plague began with savage cruelty to animals.
Discussion of the live-animal markets is another of those points where moral common sense encounters the slavishly politically correct, though it’s not as if we’re dealing here with Asia’s most sensitive types anyway. No Western critic need worry about hurting the feelings or reputations of people who maximize the pain and stress of dogs in the belief that this freshens the flavor of the meat, and who then kill them at the market as the other dogs watch. Customers of such people aren’t likely to feel the sting of our disapproval either.
About the many customers and suppliers in Asia, and especially in China, of exotic fare, endless ancient remedies, and carvings and trinkets made of ivory, the best that can be said is that these men and women are no more representative of their nations than are the riffraff running the meat markets. Their demands and appetites have caused a merciless pillaging of wildlife across the earth — everything that moves a living resource,” no creature rare or stealthy enough to escape their gluttony or vanity. Of late even donkeys, such peaceable and unoffending creatures, have been rounded up by the millions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America for shipment and slaughter, all to satisfy demand for yet another of China’s traditional-medicine manias.
Easy to blame for all of this is the government of China. Authorities took forever, for example, to enforce prohibitions on ivory carving, despite an unquestioned competence in carrying out swift crackdowns. And in general, at every level, the government tends to tolerate a culture of cruelty, or else to actively promote it at the prodding of lucrative industries, both legal and illicit. But the problem runs deeper than that, even as many younger Chinese, to their enormous credit, have tried to organize against the ivory trade, the wet markets, and other depravities in their midst.
In the treatment of animals and in safeguarding human health, there are elementary standards to which all must answer. The challenge to clear thinking, as Melissa Chen writes in SpectatorUSA,
is to avoid falling into the trap of cultural relativism. It’s perfectly appropriate to criticize China’s rampant consumption of exotic animals, lack of hygiene standards and otherwise risky behavior that puts people at risk for zoonotic infections. Until these entrenched behaviors based on cultural or magical beliefs are divorced from Chinese culture, wet wildlife markets will linger as time-bombs ready to set off the next pandemic.
Acknowledging that Western societies have every moral reason to condemn the barbarism and recklessness of the live-animal markets only invites, however, a tougher question: Do we have the moral standing? And if any of us are guilty of blind cultural prejudice or of a smug sense of superiority toward Chinese practices, a moment’s serious thought will quickly set us straight.
When the Daily Mail describes how Chinese guards at the live-animal market now try to stop anyone from taking pictures,” who does that remind us of? How about our own livestock companies, whose entire mode of operation these days is systematic concealment by efforts to criminalize the taking of pictures in or around their factory farms and slaughterhouses? The foulest live-animal-market slayer in China, Vietnam, Laos, or elsewhere would be entitled to ask what our big corporations are afraid the public might see in photographic evidence, or what’s really the difference between his trade and theirs except walls, machinery, and public-relations departments.
If you watch online videos of the wet markets, likewise, it’s striking how the meat shoppers just go on browsing, haggling, chatting, and even laughing, some with their children along. Were it not for the horrors and whimpers in the background, the scene could be a pleasant morning at anyone’s local farmer’s market. As the camera follows them from counter to counter, you keep thinking What’s wrong with these people? — except that it’s not so easy, rationally, to find comparisons that work in our favor.
No, we in the Western world don’t get involved while grim-faced primitives execute and skin animals for meat. We have companies with people of similar temperament to handle everything for us. And there’s none of that staring back” that the Post’s Paula Froelich describes, because, in general, we keep the sadness and desperation of those creatures as deeply suppressed from conscious thought as possible. An etiquette of denial pushes the subject away, leaving it all for others to bear. Addressing a shareholders’ meeting of Tyson Foods in 2006, one worker from a slaughterhouse in Sioux City, Iowa, unburdened himself: The worst thing, worse than the physical danger, is the emotional toll. Pigs down on the kill floor have come up and nuzzled me like a puppy. Two minutes later I had to kill them — beat them to death with a pipe. I can’t care.”
Following the only consistent rule in both live-animal markets and industrial livestock agriculture — that the most basic animal needs are always to be subordinated to the most trivial human desires — this process yields the meats that people crave so much, old favorites like bacon, veal, steak, and lamb that customers must have, no matter how these are obtained. When the pleasures of food become an inordinate desire, forcing demands without need or limit and regardless of the moral consequences, there’s a word for that, and the fault is always easier to see in foreigners with more free-roaming tastes in flesh. But listen carefully to how these foods or other accustomed fare are spoken of in our culture, and the mindset of certain Asians — those ravenous, inflexible folks who will let nothing hinder their next serving of pangolin scales or winter dish of dog — no longer seems a world away.
We in the West don’t eat pangolins, turtles, civets, peacocks, monkeys, horses, foxes, and wolf cubs — that’s all a plus. But for the animals we do eat, we have sprawling, toxic, industrial mass-confinement” farms that look like concentration camps. National herds” and flocks” that all would expire in their misery but for a massive use of antibiotics, among other techniques, to maintain their existence amid squalor and disease — an infectious time bomb” closer to home as bacterial and viral pathogens gain in resistance. And a whole array of other standard practices like the intensive confinement” of pigs, in gestation cages that look borrowed from Asia’s bear-bile farms; the bulldozing of lame downer cows”; and maceration” of unwanted chicks, billions routinely tossed into grinders. All of which leave us very badly compromised as any model in the decent treatment of animals.
Such influence as we have, in fact, is usually nothing to be proud of. It made for a perfect partnership when, for instance, one of the most disreputable of all our factory-farming companies, Smithfield Foods, was acquired in 2013 by a Chinese firm, in keeping with some state-run, five-year plan of the People’s Republic to refine agricultural techniques and drive up meat production. Now, thanks to American innovation, Smithfield-style, the Chinese can be just as rotten to farm animals as we are — and just as sickly from buying into the worst elements of the Western diet.
In China and Southeast Asia, they have still not received our divine revelation in the West that human beings shall not eat or inflict extreme abuse on dogs but that all atrocities to pigs are as nothing. They’re moving in our culinary direction, however, and more than half the world’s factory-farmed pigs are now in China and neighboring countries. In the swine-fever contagion spreading across that region right now — addressed as usual by mass cullings: gassing tens of millions of pigs or burying them alive — our industrial animal-agriculture system is leaving its mark, while providing yet further evidence that factory farms are all pandemic risks themselves.24
How many diseases, cullings, burial pits, and bans on photographing these places even at their wretched best will we need before realizing that the entire system is profoundly in error, at times even wicked, and that nothing good can ever come of it? Perhaps the live-animal markets of China, with all the danger and ruin they have spread, will help us to see those awful scenes as what they are, just variants of unnatural, unnecessary, and unworthy practices that every society and culture would be better off without.
Plagues, as we’re all discovering, have a way of prompting us to take stock of our lives and to remember what really matters. If, while we’re at, we begin to feel in this time of confinement and fear a little more regard for the lives of animals, a little more compassion, that would be at least one good sign for a post-pandemic world.
MATTHEW SCULLY is the author of DOMINION: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy. A former literary editor of National Review and senior speechwriter to President George W. Bush, he lives in Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine say live animal markets should be shut down in the U.S. to prevent coronavirus-like pandemics in the future.
Doctors are urging the U.S. Surgeon General to shut down live animal markets amid the current coronavirus outbreak.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)—a nonprofit health organization of 12,000 physicians that promotes plant-based, preventative medicine—filed the petition on Tuesday.
We just filed a petition urging the Surgeon General to immediately shut down U.S. live animal markets to protect public health and prevent future pandemics,” PCRM tweeted.
The petition is signed by 225 physicians, including Eric J. Brandt, MD, of Yale University School of Medicine, and Michelle L. O’Donoghue, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School.
The COVID-19 outbreak is believed to have originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China last December. Wet markets sell live and dead fish and wild animals, including snakes and bats for human consumption.
Live animal markets aren’t exclusive to China. They are located around the world, including Europe and the U.S.
Live animal markets are a welcome mat to coronaviruses,” the doctors state in the petition. The failure to close a single live animal market in China led to a pandemic that has closed countless businesses worldwide and led to an enormous death toll and economic havoc.”
The petition states that in order to prevent another viral pandemic in the U.S., the Surgeon General must ban the sale, transfer, donation, other commercial or public offering, or transportation, in interstate or intrastate commerce, of live birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians to retail facilities that hold live animals intended for human consumption.”
Doctors are urging the U.S. Surgeon General to shut down all live animal markets.
World Health Organization Urged To Ban Wet Markets
According to Worldometers, there are currently more than 1,450,000 total cases of coronavirus around the world. More than 83,600 people have died and more than 310,000 have recovered.
In order to help prevent future outbreaks, activists are also urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for a shut down of live animal markets.
Activists launched a petition online demanding the WHO to call for an end to live animal markets. The petition states that markets are breeding grounds for zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases—such as the coronavirus, SARS, and Ebola—can jump the species barrier from animals to humans.
The TV news item today was about Sri Lankan specialist doctors undergoing training in the UK desperately want to return home. It is quite strange that they all want to come back when only a small percentage of the doctors return after going abroad.
Some specialists trained in a lucrative specialty return to join the private sector while hardly discharging their duties in the state hospitals where they are assigned to.
It is obvious why these doctors want to return al of a sudden
Surely because they are not safe in England and do not trust NHS in the UK
One consultant has already died
I wonder what GMOA is going to say about this.
Dr. Sarath Obeysekera CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard Colombo Sri Lanka
As you all are aware, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa established the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund” to strengthen the mitigation activities aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country and related social welfare programmes.
Accordingly, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. invites fellow Sri Lankans living in the United States of America who are interested in this meritorious deed, to extend their generous contributions to the said Fund directly or through the Embassy.
A note containing information on the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund”, and the process to contribute to the Fund can be viewed at link.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Sri Lankans living in the United States of America for extending their support towards this worthy endeavor.
We have seen the yeoman services rendered by the armed forces in controlling corona spread with political backing where relevant measures are taken to prevent people from moving around by establishing control points
Many youngsters who have been employed and unemployed are staying in boarding houses, frustrated cursing the patients as well as authorities
Though some are trying to paint a picture of an authoritarian regime is going to be in place, the government and the president should continue using forces to enforce the rules.
We also note that the police force cannot handle the controlling part due to lack of manpower and trained commanders
It is high time that The President uses some remaining
powers and start National Service in the country and mobilize the youngsters
who are doing nothing at the moment
They can. not only help regular forces ad police to control
corona spread but also distribute food items and collect agricultural products
from villages
The government also commandeer trucks and buses which are idling and use them
If necessary, the Constitution may be suspended for a year to avoid delays in getting a parliament appointed and get the legislation approved
Let the world including the UN complain about it but they have enough in their plates to worry about
Just like I have proposed several times President can be called Benevolent Dictator.
Title: Putting Buddhism to Work: A New Approach to Management and Business
Author: Shinichi Inoue
Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd. (Tokyo) Year of publication: 1997
Buddhist Economics: The Emerging Middle Path between Capitalism and Socialism
Shinichi Inoue, a former President of the Japanese Miyazaki Bank and reputed economist, has proposed a novel approach to economic management that goes beyond socialism and capitalism. He calls his proposed economics for the 21st century ‘Buddhist Economics’, a phrase first used in print by Dr. E.F.Schumacher in 1973 in his best-selling book ” Small is Beautiful “.
Based on the insight of the Buddha that spiritual liberation is attained by avoiding extremes, whether by indulgence in worldly pleasures or severe asceticism, and treading namely ‘ the Middle Way ‘, Inoue recommends ‘Buddhist Economics ‘ as the ideal middle path between the competing models of capitalism and socialism. Both these systems, Inoue argues, have failed to contain the relentless destruction of the natural environment and the human community, thereby forcing leading executives and planners to search for new solutions for planetary problems.
Inoue draws on the best aspects of both capitalist and socialist economic systems, in his ‘ Buddhist Economics ‘ model. It supports the conventional forces of a free market and competition without destroying either nature or human society. His alternate vision of sustainable economics is meant to be more just and more ecologically sound.
Inspired by the fundamental Buddhist insight of the inter-connectedness existing among all living things, Inoue says that Buddhism, Economics and Ecology are all inter-related. He places a heavy emphasis on the concept of freedom as understood in Buddhism in contrast to the Western concept of ‘freedom’. In the West ‘freedom’ revolves around the rights of the individual i.e. freedom to do what one wishes. In Buddhism, ‘freedom’ means freedom from personal desires or attachments.
In Inoue’s view, a Buddhist approach to economics requires an understanding that economics and a moral and spiritual life are neither separate nor mutually exclusive. The 20th Century has been ravaged by a materialistic, self-centered consumerism. The next century needs to focus on the quality and spirituality of life itself. Buddhism, which advocates the ‘Middle Path’, serves as an important resource to pursue an alternative to the extremes of capitalism and socialism, or pure self-interest and utter self-negation.
The Essence of Buddhist Economics
Inoue identifies three key phrases that underlie his model of Buddhist Economics.
They are:
1) an economics that benefits oneself and others 2) an economics of tolerance and peace 3) an economics that can save the earth.
An Economics that benefits oneself and others
Adam Smith developed his theory of free enterprise based on the concept of self-benefit’. This led to people being more concerned with enriching themselves and disregarding the interests of others. At the international level, during Adam Smith’s day, major colonial powers such as England, Netherlands, France, Portugal and Spain developed their economies from the resources taken from other poorer regions, without an adequate resulting benefit accruing to the colonies. In contrast, the earlier Buddhist societies such as India during the time of the Buddha or Japan during the time of Prince Shotuku ( 574 – 622 AD ) existed with a radically different social approach. In Japanese society where the density of population was high, human relations were tightly interwoven, and Japanese people were encouraged to pay great attention to how other people thought or reacted. In the Japanese world of business, earning the trust of others and entering into mutually beneficial transactions have always been given priority. Such conduct was the result of deep-seated Buddhist influence.
The Western obsession with ‘self-benefit ‘ and indifference to the rights of non-European people has been well analysed by former Indian diplomat K.M.Panikkar in his ground breaking book ‘Asia and Western Domination – A Survey of the Vasco De Gama Epoch of Asian History 1498 – 1945, published in 1953. Panikkar says that western colonial powers were reluctant to recognise that doctrines of international law applied outside Europe or that European nations had any moral obligations when dealing with Asian people. For example, when Britain insisted on the opium trade against the laws of China in the 19th Century, there was a prohibition by law on opium smoking in England. In countries under direct British occupation eg. India, Ceylon and Burma, though there were equal rights established by law, there was considerable reservation in enforcing the law against Europeans. Maurice Collis, a British magistrate in Burma, gives a rare candid account in his book ‘Trials in Burma’ ( 1938 ) about the pressures brought upon him by the members of the Colonial Government and the British expatriate community, to be partial towards Europeans in his judgments. Panikkar avers that this doctrine of different rights (which made a mockery of the concept of the Rule of Law) persisted to the very end of western colonial domination and was a prime cause of Europe’s ultimate failure in Asia.
An Economics of Tolerance and Peace
The Indian Emperor Asoka established the world’s first welfare state in the third century BC upon embracing Buddhism. He renounced the idea of conquest by the sword. In contrast to the western concept of ‘ Rule of Law ‘, Asoka embarked upon a ‘policy of piety or rule of righteousness’. The basic assumption of this policy of piety was that the ruler who serves as a moral model would be more effective than one who rules purely by strict law enforcement. The right method of governing is not only by legislation and law enforcement, but also by promoting the moral education of the people. Asoka began by issuing edicts concerning the ideas and practice of dharma, dealing with universal law and social order. Realizing that poverty eroded the social fabric, one of his first acts was to fund social welfare and other public projects. Asoka’s ideals involved promoting policies for the benefit of everyone in society, treating all his subjects as if they were his children and protecting religion. He built hospitals, animal welfare shelters and enforced a ban on owning slaves and killing. He gave recognition to animal rights in a number of his rock edicts and accepted state responsibility for the protection of animals. Animal sacrifice was forbidden by law.
An important aspect of Asoka’s economics of peace was tolerance. In one of his rock edicts, Asoka calls for religious freedom and tolerance, and declares that by respecting someone else’s religion, one brings credit to one’s own religion. Inoue says that the idea of religious tolerance only emerged in the West in 1689 with the publication of John Locke’s book ‘ A Letter Concerning Toleration ‘.
Inoue says that from a Buddhist perspective, politics can be summed up by the Sanskrit word 4 cakravartin ‘ (the wheel turner ), which means a king or political ruler who protects his people and the Buddhist teachings. Asoka was the prototype of this ruler whose political ideas were to inspire a countless number of other Asian Emperors and rulers. One enthusiastic follower of Asoka in Japan was Prince Shotuku. (574 – 622 AD ). An ardent believer in Buddhism, Shotukti drafted a 17 Article Constitution (the first Buddhist Constitution of Japan), which was promulgated in 604 AD. Shotuku appeals neither to ‘self-evident truths ‘ (as in the American Constitution ) nor to some divine right of kings as the basis of law. Instead he begins pragmatically by stating that if society is to work efficiently for the good of all, then people must restrain factionalism and learn to work together. A key feature of this Constitution is the emphasis placed on resolving differences by appeals to harmony and common good, using the procedure of consensus. This approach is in marked contrast to the western view that factions can be controlled only legally by a balance of powers. Decision making by consensus is a significant characteristic of Japanese society. Every effort is made to ensure that minority dissident factions are not allowed to lose face.
The influence of Buddhism in Japan was such that in 792 AD Emperor Kammu (781 – 806 AD) despite constant threats from Korea, abolished the 100 year old national army, except for one regiment to guard the region near Korea. National security was maintained by sons of local clan leaders somewhat similar to the present day police. Japan was effectively without an army until the emergence of the new warrior class before the Kamakura, Shogunate (1192 – 1333 AD). Tibet is another example of demilitarisation (in the 17th century). What is significant to note here is that long before the ideal of demilitarisation was espoused in western countries, ancient Buddhist countries had already implemented it. In Japan, beginning from the 9th century, the death penalty was abolished for nearly three and a half centuries.
An Economics to save the Earth
Inoue is vehemently critical of the practice of industrial societies indulging in a policy of take-and-take from nature, despite economics being fundamentally about exchange or give-and-take. He identifies a passage in the Bible (Genesis 1: 27 – 28) as a possible root cause of the western attitude towards nature. This passage declares:
“So God created man in his own image, in the image created he him, male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth”.
Some have interpreted this passage literally, as one giving divine sanction to domination of the earth for the benefit of only human beings and disregarding the interests of both plants and other living creatures of this world. In contrast, Buddhist sacred texts are much more humble and always emphasise the need to live in harmony with nature and peacefully co-exist with other living creatures, as the ideal and noble way. In the Buddhist worldview, humans rather being masters of this earth, simply make up one tiny element in a vast cosmos. In the Buddhist Economics that Inoue proposes, the earth rather than human beings will be placed at the center of our worldview.
History of Economics
Inoue examines the major ideas in the theories of prominent economists such as Adam Smith (1723 – 1790), David Ricardo (1772 – 1823), Karl, Marx (1818 – 1883), John Keynes (1883 – 1946) Joan Robinson (1903 – 1983) and the German Economists Friedrich von Hayek (1899 – 1992), Wilhelm Lopke (1899 – 1966) and Ludwig Erhard (1897 – 1977). Inoue singles out Lopke’s best-selling book ‘ Civitas Humanas (Human Citizen) published in 1949 as laying the foundation for the new humanistic school of economics. Inoue uses the concept of `social market economics’ advocated by Ludwig Erhard in his 1957 book ‘Woffistand fur Alles (Happiness for All ) as the precedent for developing the new Buddhist Economics. Erhard called for the need to overcome the inherent tensions between the haves and have-nots in society, through such governmental policies as the banning of cartels, using government ‘price valuation’ to ensure fair pricing, rent control and supporting people with disabilities.
Inoue was also inspired by Dr. E.F Schumacher’s book ‘Small is Beautiful’, which has a chapter on ‘Buddhist Economics.’ Schumacher was heavily influenced by Buddhist meditation and wisdom during his time in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Though Schumacher recommended a new approach to economics based on Buddhism, Inoue says that Schumacher’s ultimate solutions were sought in Christian oriented ethics. Nevertheless, Inoue says that Schumacher’s book should serve as a wake up call for those living in Buddhist countries. He further says that given the destruction of the natural environment that has taken place in the industrial West, the time has come to use a Buddhist approach to economics.
Historical Background of Buddhist Economics
The life story of the Buddha offers a valuable lesson when focusing on Buddhist economics. Prince Siddhartha rejected the material comforts of a royal life, and also realised the futility of asceticism and denial of natural physical needs. Inoue says ”The Buddha walked a fine line between materialism and denial of the world, and this middle way or moderate standpoint is fundamental to understanding Buddhist Economics’.
The ordinary public and the merchant class supported Buddhism from the very outset. As Buddhism moved eastwards over the centuries, to China, Korea and Japan it absorbed elements of the culture of these countries and became transformed along the way. It also managed to transform the societies and economies of these countries by introducing ethical concepts into the pursuit of profit. In Japanese history there has been substantial Buddhist support of commerce, which had come to fruition during the Edo period (1603 – 1867). This period witnessed an explosion of economic activity. Some sociologists have found interesting parallels in the connections between the Protestant work ethic and capitalism, and between the rise of Japanese Capitalism and the religious thought of the time.
Unrestrained Consumption
The world’s natural resources would be depleted if two factors are not immediately addressed:
1) the ever increasing population growth, and 2) the mismanagement of desire ( particularly of those people in the so-called advanced countries)
In the Ryoan-ji, the Buddhist Temple of Kyoto, famous for its stone and sand garden, there is a poem carved on a stone, which says ‘ Know what one really needs ‘. Inoue says that this is no simple injunction. To know what one really needs in life requires great wisdom. But to have the strength to say ‘no’ to the unessential products in life would release a person from the coils of consumption. Inoue says that this view i.e. of wanting what is really essential reflects the Buddhist view of consumption and it is the ideal attitude to be promoted in the coming century.
Right Livelihood
Right livelihood is one of the components of the Noble Eightfold Path. Its importance lies in the fact that the work one does for a living influences a person’s thinking. The Buddha has named five types of occupations as unwholesome ways of earning a living. They are 1) Selling liqour or being connected with the production and sale of liquor 2) Sale of flesh or being connected with the raising and killing of animals 3) Poison (includes drugs) 4) Trading in living beings (includes slavery or for similar purposes) 5) Dangerous weapons.
Inoue uses the ‘Sigalovada Sutta ‘ (which is also called the layman’s code of discipline or gihi vinaya ) as the premise for developing the right work ethic for the next century. In one passage of this Sutta, the Buddha says “One should work like a bee to earn one’s livelihood. Do not wait for others to help, nor depend on others foolishly”. In the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha showed his concern for the material welfare and the spiritual development of his lay disciples. In the discourse to young Sigala, the Buddha explained the full range of duties owed by a layman to all those with whom he interacts. The Buddha also indicated how wealth has to be spent i.e. one portion for one’s needs, which includes offerings to monks and charity, two portions on investment and the fourth portion to be kept for an emergency.
The Author
Inoue was born in 1918 in Southern Japan. Upon graduating from the Department of Economics of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Bank of Japan. In 1975 he was made the President of the Miyazaki Bank. Throughout his career Inoue has sought to combine the practice of Buddhism with his expertise in Economics and Management. He is the current Chairman of the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhism, and a member of the Buddhist Economics Research Institute of Komazawa University.
In the concluding chapters of this book, Inoue illustrates his creative approach to business with a number of anecdotes of leading Japanese entrepreneurs who had incorporated Buddhist principles and meditation techniques in their day to day work in an effort to develop a more humanistic and environmentalist business ethic.
Buddhist Economic Vision
Though much of the postulates of Inoue have been developed in a Japanese Mahayana Buddhist context, the contents of this book nevertheless provide food for thought to anyone wishing to adopt an innovative approach to Management and Business. However the greatest appeal of this highly readable book lies in the elaborate development of Schumacher’s profound insight that there is another way of approaching economics, based on the ideas taught in the East 2500 years ago, particularly of the fundamental interconnectedness of people and nature. It is upon this premise that the world can shift from a throw-away culture to a more sustainable* civilisation. This work also throws a challenge to governments in Buddhist countries to develop a Buddhist economic vision as a part of national planning, as we move towards a new millennium.
Preconceived notions lead to distortions in reporting on the issue
At the time of writing, Sri Lanka has suffered six deaths due to complications arising from the COVID-19 virus. Information on the latest victim, who died few hours ago, is yet to be made public. Three of the victims were Sinhalese, out of which two were Buddhists (1st and 4th victims) and one was Catholic (the 5th), whilst the other two were Muslims (2nd and 3rd). The bodies of all were disposed in the same manner, following the most stringent procedures to eliminate any possibility of contamination – now or in the future.
There was a seventh patient, whose body was also disposed in this same manner. This patient however was not infected with COVID-19. This patient was warded in Kalubowila Hospital for a different ailment. Whilst this patient was thus receiving treatment, another patient in the same ward was tested positive for COVID-19.
Immediately, the hospital officials took steps to transfer that patient tested positive for COVID-19 to the Institute of Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH). At the same time, all the other patients in this ward were transferred to the Homagama Base Hospital, which is dedicated to only treat patients who may have got exposed to the virus but not yet confirmed as infected. That night, this patient succumbed to his illness for which he was hospitalized.
Test results confirmed that he was not infected with the virus. Nevertheless, his body too was disposed in the same manner as the other five COVID-19 victims. This eliminated any possibility of contamination.
Disposing the Dead Body of a COVID-19 Patient
These seven patients died on different days. Yet, the same stringent procedures were followed in all these cases. As such, the bodies were,
– Not washed, embalmed or unnecessarily touched;
– Placed inside a sealed bag and then inside a sealed coffin;
– Not allowed final rites;
– Taken to the crematorium within about 15 hours after death;
– Only two of the closest relatives allowed to be present;
– Cremated in an incinerator that generates a heat of over 1,200 centigrade. The COVID-19 virus cannot survive temperatures over 30 centigrade.
In addition,
– The protective garments of the pallbearers were also destroyed at the same time;
– Crematorium was disinfected afterwards;
– All personnel present was sprayed with disinfectant from head to toe;
– The vehicle that transported the body also disinfected.
Before placing the coffin in the incinerator, a Government Medical Officer explained to the nearest relative the cause of death and the procedure that was about to be carried out.
It must be emphasized that none of the patients, who belonged to different faiths, had their final rites performed. It was not to condemn the patients or disrespect them, but to ensure
– Speed and
– Minimum exposure.
Cremation over Burial
A controversy over cremation of Muslims began with a message posted in Facebook by Leader of the Muslim Congress MP Rauf Hakeem. Whether his post initiated the controversy or whether he simply articulated some discontent from within the Muslim community is difficult to say.
However, at the All Party Conference, he did not want to bring this issue before the assembly. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa then pointed out that there is nothing to hide and it is best to discuss this matter openly as all political leaders and officials responsible for decision making were present.
After much insistence from the Premier, MP Hakeem noted his concerns as,
– According to the earlier guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe, burial or cremation was permissible
– This is in line with the guidelines issued by the WHO as well
– WHO has clearly stated that the possibility of the COVID-19 spreading from a corpse is a myth.
Dr Jasinghe, who was also present at this conference, then explained the reasons for the officials to eventually choose cremation as the best and most effective means to dispose bodies of COVID-19 positive patients as,
– The WHO guidelines is only a general guideline. It has not taken into consideration the topography and other factors that are unique to each country.
– In Sri Lanka, the water table is high, which is the main issue in this matter.
– In addition, our soil is very porous and the composition itself is very absorbant. This might pose a danger of becoming a medium for the virus to spread.
– The topography in Sri Lanka changes within kilometers. This makes it difficult to separate areas with a clear demarcation line. Therefore, it is not possible to accommodate these variations when formulating a standard.
– It is the people that needs to be taken into consideration. Then, differentiate people according to ethnic groups is not possible.
– When a death occurs, the priority is to dispose the body as quickly as possible. Thus it needs to be disposed at the closest possible location.
It must be also noted that,
– As SLMC leader Hakeem quoted at the All Party Conference, WHO does note that, It is a common myth that persons who have died of a communicable disease should be cremated, but this is not true.” However, with regard to COVID-19 virus, WHO while noting that,
To date there is no evidence of persons having become infected from exposure to the bodies of persons who died from COVID-19”, also notes that,
this is a new virus whose source and disease progression are not yet entirely clear, more precautions may be used until further information becomes available.”
At the moment of writing, the number of COVID-19 infected patients in Sri Lanka are low:
total number of infected – 185; number of active cases – 137; number of recovered – 42 and number of deaths – 6.
However, according to the mathematical modeling done by the Medical Faculty of Colombo University, the number of infected can reach as high as 1,400.
Dr Jasinghe assures that the free health service in Sri Lanka is getting ready to meet this challenge.
In the meantime, the Government Medical Officers Association has warned that if this number exceeds 2,500, our systems will fail.
It is impossible at this stage to predict whether the numbers would reach 1,400 or exceed 2,500.
This virus is spreading exponentially. We do not have any immunity against it. Therefore, we must physically stop it from spreading.
Unlike in a war, where the outcome is dependent largely on the combatants, in this crisis the outcome lies with each and every individual citizen. This means that we are dealing with a situation with a large number of variables.
For example, the third Sri Lankan patient to die of this virus has compromised at least 326 people through simple association. Thus it is clear that one person’s irresponsible act(s) can unravel even the best laid plans.
Hence, we must prepare for the possibility of dealing with a large number of deaths, as is the reality in many other countries.
As WHO notes, we still know very little about this virus. According to the findings so far, it is believed that while heat kills it, dampness helps it to thrive. What does this mean in an untreated body filling with fluids remains to be seen. Certain scientists claim that the virus can survive in the refrigerator for up to 28 days. This of course perhaps needs to be verified further by other scientific sources as well.
Even though this body is in a sealed body bag and in a sealed coffin, it is not possible for us to guarantee the outcome in 100 or more years. One may dismiss this as far fetched or an exaggerated worry. At the same time, let us not dismiss offhand accounts of scientists and excavators dying suddenly due to unknown cause after days of opening ancient tombs and coffins. It is easy enough to blame a mysterious curse, when in fact it might have been a virus as deadly as COVID-19. The last thing we would want is for this highly infectious, deathly virus to revisit our world – even 100 or 1,000 years later.
Taking all these factors on board, it is obvious to the logical mind that the best option is to destroy this virus completely.
Media Freedom without Responsibility is not Possible
When so many countries with advanced healthcare systems are failing before COVID-19, Sri Lanka is managing to keep the situation thus far under control. It is neither incidental nor coincidental. It is against all odds and tremendous challenges that Sri Lanka is doing so.
It is due to meticulous planning that Sri Lanka has thus far succeeded. From the beginning, Sri Lanka placed systems to manage every aspect of the crisis. The Administration anticipated possibility of the virus reaching Sri Lanka before even WHO warned the world of the pandemic. Measures were taken long before supply chains got disrupted.
Singapore Prime Minister addressing his nation admitted that their systems are struggling to find the contacts of the infected. In Sri Lanka, all hands in the intelligence agencies are on the job. The accuracy of identifying the contacts and their associations in turn have contributed largely to containing this virus in Sri Lanka.
Yet, instead of reporting on Sri Lanka’s success or even mentioning it, certain international media channels have erroneously reported that the Government,
– Held hostage by extreme hardline Buddhist monks
– Had forcibly cremated the bodies of the Muslim patients
– To hurt the feelings of the Muslims.
Very mischievously, these journalists have completely omitted that the final rites of the other patients, who were not Muslim, were also not allowed. It must be noted that the Catholic too bury their dead. Buddhists also sometimes opt for burial than cremation.
This raises the question, whether these journalists who wrote these very erroneous and utterly irresponsible articles were truly ignorant that,
– Buddhists and a Catholic were also among the dead;
– Final rites of all were not performed;
– The disposal of the bodies was not in line with any cultural values or religious practices.
The bodies of the patients who were Buddhists were not treated any differently from those of other faiths. This thus discredits the accusations that,
– Buddhist monks played a decisive role in this matter;
– the bodies of the Muslim patients were cremated to hurt the Muslims.
Interestingly, though these articles appear in different channels, the same errors are seen to eclipse in most reports. Perhaps these journalists were too lazy to do their own homework. They may have copied each other’s work and instead of verifying, modified it enough to pass it off as their own work. It is also possible that these journalists might have been sponsored to write such tribal-minded, incidiary articles. Either way, the result is the same. Their unprofessionalism compromises the integrity of the media.
Today, it is not possible for a country that allows Internet technologies, social media and messaging platforms to suppress media. The options these tools provide are so vast and versatile that the media will always find a gap to reach the public. In the past couple of years there had been attempts to blackout the media, but with zero success. Users found Virtual Private Networks, which worked just as well.
Therefore, media freedom is now more in the hands of the media than with the Government. It is important never to lose sight of the objective of ensuring media freedom. It is to guard the right of our audience to access facts true to the case. Media as such needs to be free to report comprehensively and without bias. Media Freedom must never be misconstrued as the right to doctor information to promote a subversive agenda or for personal gain.
When vital facts are omitted, it amounts to falsifying information. This infringes on the audience’s right to understand the situation in its true context. It is a moot point whether the reporter failed to be true to the profession for personal gain, with malicious intent or due to sheer incompetence. The result is the same. The audience’s right to know the truth and the right to make decisions based on true facts gets compromised.
Colombo, April 8 (newsin.asia): On 8th April, Mr. Luo Chong, the Spokesperson of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka wrote an open letter to Mr. Ranjith Wijewardene, the Chairman of the Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, presenting the Embassy’s strong position against the irresponsible publication of articles that completely violate the facts and stirs up hatred speech.
Full text of the open letter is as follows:
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Greetings at a difficult moment for both Sri Lanka and China.
I write this open letter to bring into your good attention that it is very unfortunate to read 3 irresponsible articles on the Daily Mirror (27/3 and 8/4) and the Sunday Times (22/3): One echoes an old American pettifogger from the administration of Ronald Reagan with his brain still in the Cold War era, shouting and instigating that Sri Lanka must ensure China is held accountable”. The other Editorial Sunday Punch” insists to use Wuhan COVID”, claims the Chinese gave birth to the virus” and stirs up Sri Lanka should demand compensation from China” for allowing the virus to escape from its land”.
It is of no surprise to see some one, either blinded by misinformation or driven by different agenda, keep making groundless remarks. But how could it be accepted and tolerated for the Wijeya Newspapers, a most reputed and respected media group in Sri Lanka to publish these non-senses and hatred speeches on two of her most popular papers? During last couple of days, quite a few friends, no matter from China or Sri Lanka, approached the Embassy to show their disagreement and resentment against the articles. We also witnessed that dozens of netizens commented on website and shake their heads. They joined us for the same question: What is going wrong?
These articles, lack of basic facts, knowledge and compassion, full of prejudice, racism and hatred speech, are not only obviously against the Vision of Wijeya Newspapers of being the most independent and socially responsible” as well as its Mission of to report the facts as they are”, but also totally against common sense and humanity. Especially under current situation when both Sri Lanka and China are fighting all their best together against COVID-19, a common enemy of human kind, these stigma and discrimination are absolutely inappropriate and not helpful whatsoever.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
We would like to reiterate that the origin of the novel coronavirus is a matter of science, which requires professional and scientific assessment. Although Wuhan city in China first reported the outbreak, there is no evidence that it is the source. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the season flu starting from September 2019 has so far killed more than 20,000, and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield admitted that post-mortein confirmed some actually died of COVID-19. Similar early cases were also found in Italy. Research by scientists from China, Japan, the United States, Europe as well as the World Health Organization have shown no certain conclusion yet on the origin. How could we stigmatize China gave birth to the virus” without professional medical knowledge?
More importantly, there is a clear consensus and practice by WHO and the international community that a virus should not be linked to any specific country, region or ethnic group, and such stigmatization should be rejected. In the fight against COVID-19, WHO has consistently called on the international community to respect science and respond rationally, and all the governments to educate the public the correct disease naming. WHO has also stressed that any discriminatory practices should be condemned, the use of China” and Wuhan” naming the virus by some media must be corrected. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged it is shameful to see increasing acts of racial discrimination and prejudice as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic” and we must always fight racism and prejudice”.
After the outbreak was reported, Chinese government has timely adopted the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures, to prevent and control the epidemic in an open, transparent and responsible manner. A comprehensive, transparent and detailed timeline of China’s efforts has also been released recently. Since January 3, China has been regularly notifying WHO and relevant countries about the outbreak. On January 12, China had already shared with WHO the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, fastest in epidemiological history. Since January 23, China made decisive decision to lock down Wuhan with its 11million population, which may have prevented 700,000 cases of coronavirus according to some US experts. All outbound tourist groups were canceled to prevent the spread of the epidemic across the borders. The WHO appraised China has offered a precious window period for the world to fight the epidemic with its huge sacrifices. Singapore, the Republic of Korea, etc have made full use of the time window and taken necessary measures to stem the spread. But it is very regrettable for some other administrations wasted the time China bought, and a big shame for some politicians and media trying to deflect their responsibilities by discrediting China. These stigmatization have ignored the huge sacrifices of the Chinese people, and vilified China’s full strength contributions to global public health security. For those who shouting to hold China accountable, please ask themselves if the outbreak first happened in their countries, would they be able to do better and control the pandemic in two months?
Dear Mr. Chairman,
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka is a Chinese national, no doubt about it. But we should not forget that this Chinese lady came to Sri Lanka before Wuhan lockdown on 23 January, being not aware of her condition. After the breakout, the Embassy immediately warned all the Chinese tourists and workers in the Island to examine their health condition and report on a daily basis. Through this timely intervention, she was filtered by the Embassy and her group as a suspicious case, reported to IDH and then confirmed on 27 January. We also requested all Chinese nationals including diplomats of the Embassy to self-quarantine for minimum 14 days strictly in their apartments after entering Sri Lanka. Only thanks to all these concrete measures, among thousands of students, businessmen and workers returned from China to Sri Lanka after the outbreak, there is no a single infection or transmission. For the following 180+ cases (as of 7 April), none of them is Chinese or from China. Ironically, some virus carriers from other countries hid their travel record, broke from self-isolation, and forced thousand of innocent people to be quarantined.
I would also like to bring into your attention that, from the very beginning until to date, the Embassy keeps updating the pandemic situation and all our prevention & control measures to the Sri Lankan government especially the Health Ministry, which are very helpful for our Sri Lankan colleagues to make their decisions according to the health department. Besides the experience sharing, huge amount of medical supplies have also been donated by the central and local Chinese government, enterprises, organizations and the overseas Chinese in Sri Lanka. According to our incomplete statistics, at least 500,000 masks, 41,000 test kits, 15,000 PPE, 130,000 medical gloves have been or ready to be gifted from China to the front line medical workers and other friends across the island to meet their most urgent need. We will provide more assistance within our capacity, because we won’t forget all the solidarity and support extended by all sectors of Sri Lankan society to China when we were fighting COVID-19 at the darkest moment.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
COVID-19 is no longer a battle of one city or one country. It has already become the biggest challenge for all human kinds after WWII. Although we’re still in heavy difficulties, the Chinese Government has extended numerous assistance to almost 100 countries, including sharing diagnosis and treatment experiences, dispatching medical teams and providing all kinds of medical supplies. I firmly believe that this war could be won, but only with joint efforts of all countries despite political, religious and cultural differences. I’m also confident you will agree with me that all our media including the Wijeya Newspapers should play a more responsible and constructive role in this war closely related to the future of our countries and the whole humanity.
Best wishes and good health to you, your family and all members of the Wijeya Newspapers. ”
(The picture at the top shows Chinese officials gifting coronavirus medicines to the Sri Lankan Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi)
Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi has appreciated the contribution made by Samurdhi Managers and officers towards the programme the government is carrying out in conjunction with the eradicating the Corona Virus.
The Minister had said at a discussion held with representatives of trade unions of the Samurdhi Department today that the overall staff of the department has contributed directly when putting into operation the relief loans and allowance processes granted by the government.
The Minister of Health had instructed the Secretary to the ministry to provide face masks and disinfectants for washing hands as required to Samurdhi officers as well.
The President of the Government Medical Officers Forum Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has deceived the President as well as the Prime Minister.
He alleged that the doctors representing trade unions who had joined the Presidential Task Force were those who did not have any qualifications at all.
A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and medical experts representing various fields was held at the Presidential Secretariat today (09) with the aim of obtaining much needed expert medical opinion on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country promptly.
During this meeting, the steps that have been taken by the government, security forces and the health sector officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as the steps that should be taken in the future, were discussed at length.
The specialists pointed out the importance of conducting investigations on groups that were in close contact with infected persons and who have had contacts in two stages further.
Even though there are sufficient coronavirus test kits available at present, President Rajapaksa instructed the health authorities to take necessary steps to acquire more test kits in order to face any situation.
The group of specialist doctors commended the President’s quarantine program launched with the aim of preventing the spread of the virus, stated President’s Media Division.
The doctors said that further strengthening of the existing quarantine process is the most effective approach to prevent the spread of the virus.
The experts stressed the importance of protecting areas where the virus has not spread. They were of the view that the spread of the virus to those areas as a result of traveling by the people from the affected areas should be stopped.
The doctors said that the first step is to ensure that the public stays at home to the extent possible following the ‘Panchayuda’ system. The ‘Panchayuda’ approach includes the use of face masks when leaving the house, avoid touching the face, maintaining a distance of one meter at all times, and hand washing.
Experts, universities, technological institutions, individual groups have made a number of discoveries regarding COVID-19. It was also discussed to promptly conduct researches into those findings at a professional level.
The President inquired about persons who run the highest risk of being infected with coronavirus and the measures should be taken to protect such vulnerable groups.
The doctors stated that people with diabetes, asthma and heart diseases need to be vigilant and that they should take medication as prescribed by the physicians. They also emphasized the importance of abstaining from smoking. The expert team also pointed out the importance of increased intake of fluids.
Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Chief Adviser of the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary Defence Major Gen (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defense Staff and Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Acting Inspector General of Police, C.D. Wickramaratne, Former Governor, Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Specialist doctors Vajira Senaratne, Ananda Wijewickrama, Prof. Sarath Jayasinghe, Prof. Arjuna de Silva, Dr. M.C. Weerasinghe, Prof. Neelika Malavige, Prasad Katulanda, Prof. Vajira Dissanayake, Prof. Ranjani Gamage, Kumuduni Ranathunga, Amitha Fernando, Indika Lanerolle and Jude Samantha participated the meeting.
Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya in response to the letters sent by the Chairman of Election Commission to the President with regard to the parliamentary election.
The Chairman of the Election Commission had sent letters to the Secretary to the President under the title ‘Parliamentary Election 2020 and Date of Summoning of the New Parliament’ dated 31.3.2020 and 01.04.2020.
He had urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to consult the Supreme Court on issues over holding the General Election.
In his response, the Secretary to the President states that as per the advice by the President, it is not possible at this point of time to state that the election cannot be held on or before 28.05.2020.
The date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and His Excellency has no wish to interfere with duties and obligations of the Election Commission,” he further stressed.
Dr. Jayasundara further states that he is instructed to inform the Election Commission that the question of Reference to the Supreme Court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution does not arise.
Following is the full text of the letter sent by the Secretary to the President
06th April 2020
Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya,
Chairman,
Election Commission of Sri Lanka,
Sarana Mawatha,
Rajagiriya.
Parliamentary Election 2020 and Date of Summoning of the New Parliament
I am in receipt of your letters dated 31.3.2020 and 01.04.2020.
I am surprised that letters which have been sent for the attention of His Excellency the President by the Election Commission, in respect of the official functions of the President of Republic have been released to the press, prior to the receipt of the letters by this office and that the same have also been copied to several others.
It is relevant to set out in brief the following facts.
By Proclamation made by Gazette no. 2165/8 dated 2.3.2020, Parliament was dissolved with effect from midnight of 2.3.2020 and the new Parliament was summoned to meet on 14.5.2020.
By the said Proclamation , the date of election of the members of the new Parliament was fixed for 25.04.2020
Thereafter,
The Secretaries of several political parties gave their intent to contest the election;
In terms of section 15 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, several recognized Political Parties and Independent Groups submitted nomination papers setting out the names of the candidates seeking election to Parliament.
The written consent of such candidates were also given;
Deposits have been duly made in terms of section 16 and 17 of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
In the circumstances several independent candidates and several recognized Political Parties have accepted and acted in accordance with:-
The order dissolving Parliament;
The order fixing the date of Poll;
The date on which nomination papers be received; and
The nominations have been submitted to respective Returning Officers.
The Election Commission was obliged under Section 24 of the Parliamentary Elections Act to publish a notice in the Gazette specifying the matters referred to in sub paragraphs [a] to [d] of Section 24[1].
It appears that by the Gazette No.2167/12 dated 20.03.2020, notice was published specifying only the matters set out in [a] and [c] of Section 24[1], that is the poll will be taken place between 7.00a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on 25th April , 2020 in each electoral district and the electoral districts in which the election is contested.
Thereafter, a Gazette No.2167/19 dated 21.03.2020 has been issued by the Election Commission wherein the Commission has stated that the poll cannot take place on 25.04.2020 and the Commission will appoint a day coming after 14 days from 30.04.2020 as the day of taking of the poll.
Regrettably , it is necessary to point out that in terms of Section 24[3] the Commissioner is obliged to specify another day for taking such poll in the Gazette issued under section 24[3], if the poll could not take place on 25.04.2020.
Furthermore, the day for taking such poll has to be 14 days after the day on which the date of the gazette published under section 24[3] of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
As per the advice by His Excellency, it is not possible at this point of time to state that the election cannot be held on or before 28.05.2020. The date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and His Excellency has no wish to interfere with duties and obligations of the Election Commission.
I may point out that in terms of Section 24[3] of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the time period giving notice of adjourned poll is not less than 14 days which implies that poll which was postponed, could be held even on 15th day.
I need hardly emphases that it is the right of the people of this country to exercise their franchise, which their sovereign right.
In the total circumstances set out hereinbefore, I am instructed to inform the Election Commission that the question of Reference to the Supreme Court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution does not arise.
When
I was talking to people in Sri Lanka as well as those who were overseas, they
expressed that Sri Lanka needs a partial dictatorship for efficient and clean
administration. Major news items in print and web media at present are mainly
focusing on corruption, misappropriation, cheating, and information related to
the dishonesty of politicians and government employees. If the public sector is
so corrupt it would not difficult to assume that private sector and
Non-government institutions popularly called NGOs, may also in a similar
corrupt situation despite the general belief of people that they are clean
organizations. Sri Lankans are
frustrated with so corrupt information are being reported in the existing
democratic operation and people expect corruption-free efficient and effective environments
in the country. Coronavirus pandemic may give a signal to temporarily forget
past corrupt practices but it doesn’t mean that it should forget forever and
ever.
It seems that democratic political operation
supports the corrupt administration despite political rhetoric that democracy
is the best administration representing peoples’ participation. When it looks
back on the government administration mechanism since independence in 1948
corruption and maladministration have been gradually increased and they have an
upward trend without political party differences. Administrators under all
political parties have recorded relations to corruption and malpractices. The
investigation process relating to various cases appears delaying justice and
people are discomfort about this situation and they assume that politicians
wilfully delay the bringing justice or support for delaying tactics. The perception of the public in this arena is
negative and many people are of opinion that Sri Lanka needs a partial
dictatorship to achieve expectations of people.
After
the presidential election in 2019 people are full of hope that elected
president, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa will do the needful to eliminate corruption
and change the malpractices in the government sector. Now, people are observing the operations with
precarious minds what are going on and news media report that corrupt practices
are active and when people hear such information, they disturb about new
administration too.
When
news spread on the election of Mr. Rajapaksa many Western commentators
attempted to spread negative opinions especially referring to ethnic problems,
which is a possible issue of less than 5% of the population or a tiny group of
people in the country. Recently, I read
a BBC report, it was a completely negative opinion and I have a question of why
this reporter sent negative opinion when many people of Sri Lanka reject such a
negative way of reporting. I had a
suspicion that the report aimed at the Geneva Human Rights Conference and ideas
were not authentic views of BBC. Reports
on BBC have ignored the issues of more than 95% of people and during the LTTE
war and just after the war these negative commentators had an organized attempt
to undermine the Rajapaksa administration giving the wrong impression that Sri
Lanka might be a failed state. There is
no doubt that reporters need to show what they have done for the payments, but
providing unreliable information may be a clear undermining of the credibility
of the news agency. They were the only opinion, but not true information and
readers of the report might misunderstand the government of Sri Lanka. The
yahapalana regime recorded more dishonest work but not a single point about the
regime has mentioned in the reporting process.
In
history, people of the country without any ethnic difference adapted to a
dictatorship in political administration and people preferred to dictatorship
as it was less corrupt and attempted to fulfill the aspirations of common
people. The public of Sri Lanka hadn’t the idea of any other style of political
philosophy when they gained democratic administration to compare the
differences.
[D1] The
exercise of democratic administration had been effective since the State
Council in 1931 and the administration was strictly scrutinized by the British
rule. When Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 people had democratic
experience only for 20 years and the knowledge and experience gained from a
short period have not been sufficient to exercise clean administration and the
freedom has been misunderstood by elected representatives as well as supporters
of political parties. The active participation of people in administration at
the regional level had been lower and people did not want to be engaged in or
participate except voting in elections.
The
impartial opinion about this matter is that people of the country had a short
period to learn democratic administration, its operational pattern and its
consequences. If it looks at the British
democratic operations, the UK has no written constitution but conventions had
been developed throughout centuries and people learned well about democratic
traditions so they respect them.
The
clear evidence under the dictatorship in history was nobody wanted to divide
the country neither wanted to implement different styles of administration
except cultural or religious practices, democratic administration promoted to
go beyond the cultural and religious practices and mark borders withing the
small island.
Many
English Dictionaries define democracy as a system of government by the whole
population or all the eligible members of the country typically through elected
representatives. The question is when there are no differences in ethnic,
religious, caste or any other differences exist, could the rule of majority be
accepted as Democracy when there is a violation of human values? This is a
vital point that people need to understand when applying a democratic rule in a
country. It was not educated in Sri
Lanka before introduce the democratic system. Broadly democracy involved in
different concepts such as representative democracy, social democracy, and many
others.
The
short period of administration of the president Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa showed
that a partial Dictatorship is the most suitable and appropriate administration
to Sri Lanka and many academics confirmed it. The struggle to control the COVID
19 proved that how a partial Dictatorship is suitable for efficient and clean
administration.
The
academics of Sri Lanka expressed the following points.
Although Sri Lanka’s
government provides free education to all its citizens the country has not
become a knowledge nation, ignorance, apathy, and illusion are chained the
country. As a result, people are behaving like stupids without required
disciplines relating to all matters.
This situation cannot change by the current democratic framework.
People have an
understanding of democracy and democratic rights. As aa result of this
ignorance rights are violated and disrespect often. No politician or any other
institution has taken steps to educate democratic rights and responsibilities
to people.
Education of the country
has ignored and it seems that value education is not promoting in schools,
Saradharma which is extremely focused to attract respect to elders and cleary
rather than attempting to promote a value-laden society.
The general
administration in the private and public sectors of the country is covered by a
vicious bureaucracy, which is corrupt and the politics in the country have
failed to scrutinize the role of public offices. This situation is worse than a
dictatorship.
Sri Lanka has faced a
harsh foreign influence.
The
opinion of academic and ordinary people is that Sri Lanka needs a partial
dictatorship.
Even before the Portuguese’
arrival, Pettah had been a major trading place.
Due to its proximity to Colombo Port (Kolom Thota), the Kotte kings
erected warehouses in Pettah to store spices, vegetables, fruits, grains, ivory
and timber geared for export. Pettah (also, Fort) used to station tusker
elephants that Sri Lanka (then Sinhale) exported to the world.
During the Dutch and the
British periods, Pettah emerged as the country’s main trading hub. It continues
to be the case.
In and around Pettah, the British
built such institutions as the Central Bus Stand, Fort Railway Station, Tram Station,
Manning Market (fruits and vegetables), St John’s fish market, Tripoli Market, Chalmers
Granary, Main Street’s textile and Sea Street’s gold centres, Front Street’s
electrical appliances, bags and clock/watch centres, food wholesalers around
Bankshall, Keyzer Streets and Gabo Lane areas, many small shops and boutiques in
Pettah’s various Cross Streets and the small eateries and tea boutiques in St
Sebastian Road, plus, ample opportunities for pavement hawkers who traded from trinkets
to motor vehicles! Then, the nearby Hultsdorf Court complex where several
thousands converged daily. Due to these, Pettah has always been an exceptionally
busy place.
It is Pettah’s busyness that it
has become such an interesting/lively place.
In fact, it is a world famous
place. Overseas visitors to this country flock to see Pettah. They love the hustle
and bustle there. The many street food outlets, the Dutch Period Museum and the
Red Mosque are favourite tourist attractions.
But since recently, the
authorities rather than building Pettah have been more concerned about dismantling
Pettah. It has gradually lost important landmarks/institutions. Examples
include the St John’s Fish Market, Tripoli Market, Chalmers Granary, shops/boutiques in St Sebastian Road, removal
of pavement hawkers and the iconic Manning Market (soon to be removed).
It seems that they had felt
that Pettah is too busy and it should instead be a tranquilled, calmer place?
Relocating St John’s Fish Market
from Pettah to Peliyagoda is a major failure. It was a foolish thing to do. Business
in Peliyagoda (which place becomes flooded during heavy rains) is not brisk. It
is a difficult place to reach, as no public transport is available to the site.
Those days, after work, office workers used to patronise the St John’s Fish
Market. It is feared that once the Manning Market is shifted to Peliyagoda
(very soon), it could face the same fate. Closing down of the Tripoli Market,
which was very lively on weekends, is sad.
If Manning Market MUST be closed
(which would be a shame), there will be a public outcry if the land is divided and sold to private property
developers to build luxury apartments (such transactions are the ‘new fashion’
by governments). That type of a scheme would allow unscrupulous politicians to
make money. The precious Manning Market land belongs to people, it should
continue to remain with the people.
The writer suggests that that
land should be converted to a public park with trees planted and benches, water
ponds/fountains erected. People could sit and enjoy/relax in busy Pettah. Part
of the area may be used to build a children’s play area, also a large multistorey
car park (in the Railway Station end) as parking is a major problem in Pettah/Fort.
After Vihara Maha Devi Park we do not have any good parks in Colombo. Such a new
Park would also become a huge tourist attraction.
It is good that the pavement
hawkers have now returned to Pettah, though in a limited way.
It is ludicrous to think that
Pettah should be a calm/quiet place. It was never intended to be so.
Due to its close proximity to
Fort Railway Station and the Central Bus Stand (both SLTB and private), Pettah
will continue to grow and stay busy. And we should build Pettah in that context. The authorities should allow trade and
commerce to flourish in Pettah steadily.
Again, they should reconsider the decision, they must try to preserve
the Manning Market in the current location.
The areas around the SLTB and
private bus stands are unclean and unhygienic. They are eyesores. The offensive
smell that emanates from the Beira Lake especially from around Customs
Office/Lake House areas is unbearable. It is sad that the authorities do not
pay attention to these (we want Sri Lanka to become the ‘Wonder of Asia!).
Many thousands frequent Pettah daily, including tourists.
It is good that new toilets
(paid) have been built, but they do not seem to be clean.
The recent establishment of the ‘Pettah Floating Market’ (PFM)
is a good concept. It gave Pettah a new dimension, with its magnificent
waterfront becoming exposed. However,
there seems to be lack of commercial activity there (except the Bake House). The
current shops have less business. This area
can be developed into an open food court (Hela Bojun/Diyatha Uyana styles). The
eateries in Olcott Mawatha are not up to the standard; also, they do not have
variety. Some of the shops by PFM’s railway track side can be converted to
trendy cafes. It will be good to encourage people to use the PFM promenade also
as a walking track (for exercise). For this, the areas up to Technical Junction
and thereafter to Maradana Junction (opposite Elphinstone) should be well paved.
More shady trees and benches would be needed. The authorities must ensure that water
in this area of the PFM Beira Lake is not toxic/harmful.
The recent establishment of the small shop owners’ stalls
where items like clothes, caps and footwear are sold may be a good thing. True
they are highly congested, but Pettah’s ‘crowded’ identity allows that. The
only drawback is that this new erection has resulted in the permanent shut down
of the road behind the Bo Tree. Due to this, Pettah’s traffic congestion has
worsened.
The condition of the new vegetable/fruit market (retail) established
closer to Gaspaha Junction is of menial standard. In an open, empty building vendors
keep items on the floor as no proper stands/stalls have been erected. Erection of benches should be considered; keeping food on the
floor is unattractive and un-hygienic. This is a very basic facility, it
resembles a village pola. There is no running water there. Compared with what
Pettah used to have, what it needs is a better,
high standard retail vegetable/fruit
market.
Again, what the authorities
should do is to build/develop Pettah. By doing this, if Pettah becomes busier,
so be it. We should not dismantle
institutions and restrict crowds there, but allow Pettah to grow; freely, lively
and uninterruptedly.
We all are educated and warned over and over by authorities
that a fair physical distance should be maintained at all times
So a group has initiated a WhatsApp group to practice meditation remotely at home from 6 to 7 in the morning and evening.
The only message the members was supposed to get is a reminder to start the practice and Maithree Bhavana for 10 minutes at the end of the session
I also joined to recommence vipassana meditation which I practiced for a while and stopped a few years back
Everything was good during the first few days until some members started sending messages about the corona and also total irrelevant videos etc to the WhatsApp group addresses
It looked like people were trying to get closer socially
which they cannot do physically
The idea of pursuing meditation practice to get rid of all defilements and unnecessary thoughts
But people start to achieve using social media what
they cannot achieve by having physical close association
It may be a good idea in case of a professional group to do so which can help work – from – home concept
But for a meditation group, this may not be the best practice
Social media messages will be flying all over the cosmos like the Coronavirus which may make people sick due at a hitherto unknown Extraterrestial invisible virus
Dr. Sarath Obeysekera CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard Colombo Sri Lanka
One more patient has tested positive for coronavirus, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 189 as of 6.00 p.m. today (8).
Meanwhile two COVID-19 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospital. This bring the total number of patients who have recovered to 44.
According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, 138 patients are currently under medical care while over 220 suspected patients under observations at selected hospitals.
Sri Lanka’s 7th coronavirus death was confirmed earlier today by the ministry.
Earlier Two more COVID-19 positive patients have hiked the total count of cases in the country 188.
The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry said 2 more patients tested positive for the virus a short while ago.
Collectively, 3 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus as of 4 pm today.
The three new patients identified today had close contact with a patient recently reported from Ratnapura District, the ministry said.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 140 coronavirus patients are currently under medical care.
Out of the total number of confirmed cases in Sri Lanka, 42 patients have recovered completely while 6 persons succumbed to the virus.
Over 255 individuals who are suspected to have contracted the virus are under observations at selected hospitals.
The deadly virus has so far claimed more than 82,000 lives and infected over 1.4 million population worldwide.
There is an increased risk of coronavirus infections if the current system implemented in the country is relaxed, says Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
Therefore, it is important to continue the curfew in order to maintain social distance, he said.
Dr. Jasinghe mentioned this joining the ‘Derana Aruna’ Breakfast Show on TV Derana this morning (08).
The number of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests carried out to identify COVID-19 infections will be increased in the coming days, he further said.
There is much hullabaloo over the pardoning of Corporal Sunil Ratnayake
by President Gotabaya Rajapake. The usual set of culprits are 24×7 preoccupied
in carrying out a globally hyped campaign against the decision. Everyone does
make mistakes. People are afterall human. There is no 100% perfect entity. No
one is not unbiased. Plenty of Judges have given questionable verdicts. Plenty
of lawyers have misled the jury. Plenty of witnesses have misled the Court too.
In such a scenario we must be able to use our common sense to derive our own
conclusions. Let us compare the Mai Lai massacre with the Mirusuvil massacre
though the US illegally bombed & invaded Vietnam while Sri Lanka was dealing
with a non-international armed conflict against non-state actors who were terrorizing
the citizens fighting in uniform and in civilian clothing while engaging
combatants as young as 7 years with even a trained civilian armed force.
US in Vietnam
US decided to deliver democracy to Vietnam during 1962-1971 resulting in
the killing of 400,000 people and left 500,000 babies born with birth defects
with some 2million continuing to suffer cancer & related illnesses from the
20million galloons of chemicals including Agent Orange dumped by US military on
Vietnam.
A Vietnamese civilian with a gun pointed at the side of her head. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
The Mail Lai village massacre took place on 16 March 1968 by some 100
American soldiers led by Lieutenant William L Calley. 11th Brigade Charlie Company is alleged to
have killed over 500 civilians ordered by Calley. Among them is the name of Private
First Class Paul Meadlo who took part with Calley in the shooting.
182 women –
17 were pregnant
173 children
– 55 infants
60 – old
aged men
In 1968 Meadlo was 19years, married with 2 children while
William Calley was just 28years.
Calley’s 3
day court martial ended on 29 March 1971 (3 years after the Mai Lai Massacre)
At the Army
inquiry it was disclosed how Calley allegedly even ran after a 2 or 3 year old boy, caught him and after
shooting him dead threw him into the ditch where all other dead were.
The Army
jury convicted ONLY Calley of mass murder of 22 persons. The charge sheet
however accused Calley of premeditated murder of 109 ‘oriental human beings’.
Calley was
sentenced to life of hard labor but President Nixon intervened and ordered
Calley’s release from Army prison. Calley was put under house arrest and then
freed 3 months after Nixon left office.
Calley
was a free man by 1974.
Even
songs were written for Calley ‘Set Lt. Calley Free’
How did Calley become a freeman? Evie Saloman’s March 2014 article
claims Nixon attempted to cover up the Mai Lai massacre evident in the release
of hand-written notes of meetings with his Chief of Staff H R Haldeman in 1987.
On 1st December 1969 the ‘Task Force’ was asked to adopt ‘dirty
tricks’ and ‘discredit one witness’ in order to ‘keep working on the problem’ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/document-points-to-nixon-in-my-lai-cover-up-attempt/
Who were the ‘dirty tricks’ meant to discredit? None other than pilot Hugh Thomson and gunner Larry Colburn
who from their helicopter saw the massacre in progress and tried to stop it and
even saved a 8 year boy from the ditch and took him to hospital.
But when they returned to US they were treated as traitors.
Colburn says “The U.S. claims
to be concerned with collateral damage with civilians that are caught up in war
zones, but I don’t believe that,”
Colburn says. “That’s lip
service.”
The Guantanamo Bay and Abu Gharaib detention camps and the scores of
illegal invasions and bombings prove how correct Colburn’s statement is.
Their story came out in 1998 – Back to Mai Lai” produced by Tom
Anderson, reported by Mike Wallace & aired on 29 March 1998.
Both travelled back to Mai Lai in 2001 and met the 8-year old boy they
saved who was now 41 years. Thompson died in 2006.
Among the
many articles on Mai Lai the series of articles by Seymour M Hersh are of
interest. He had visited Vietnam in the 1960s as a rookie journalist and again
in 2015 at 78 years.
His 1971 article on Mai Lai was first published by the New Yorker and
reissued in 2015.
Ironically
the US Army filed charges against 14 officers just like the 14 Sri Lanka Armed
Forces personnel arrested in connection with the Mirusuvil murder in Sri Lanka
in 2000.
Some
soldiers claimed to have disobeyed Calleys orders but Private First Class Paul
Meadlo had joined Calley in the shooting. The next day Meadlo had stepped on a
land mine and his right foot had blown off. Instant karma.
A GI also
recalls Meadlo cursing Calley when he was being evacuated to be treated God will punish you for what you made me
do,”
Meadlo’s
mother was to say I sent them a good boy
and they made him a murderer.”
Another
relevant detail in Hersh’s article is the unpublished August 1967 report by
retired Pentagon Official W Donald Steward at the request of Secretary of
Defense Robert McNamara (later became President of World Bank)
The report
showed that US troops in South Vietnam did not know the Geneva Conventions. The
soldiers, felt they were at liberty to
substitute their own judgment for the clear provisions of the
Conventions. . . . It was primarily the young and inexperienced
troops who stated they would maltreat or kill prisoners, despite having just
received instructions” on international law.
Stewart
tells Hersh that he understood why the report was suppressed
People were sending their
eighteen-year-olds over there, and we didn’t want them to find out that they
were cutting off ears.”
This takes us to another important point for discussion. Everyone is
quick to condemn military personnel claiming them to be a professional force
and should act like one. That paradigm is not applicable when the military is
fighting a non-state actor not bound to uphold laws except their own. Therefore,
those quick to quote the Conventions and Law Books must first imagine if they
could act with professionalism against a brutal terrorist group? The soldiers
are not sent as guinea pigs to tabulate how successful the law manuals work
during hostilities. While the soldiers go to defend the nation & the
citizens the goal of the terrorists is to only kill and become martyrs by
killing. So no law can judge a national army on the same benchmark as that of
terrorists. Terrorists supporters are today manipulating this area to draw for
their terrorist groups undue publicity and empathy.
Let’s
also not forget that President Trump in November 2019 pardoned 3 US military
personnel 2 US soldiers (who served in Afghanistan) & 1 sailor (served in
Iraq) who committed war-zone crimes. But the condemnation against that was
primarily simply to target President not so much based on any acts of crime
committed by the 3 US military personnel.
Mirusuvil Massacre Sri Lanka
Now let us go to Sri Lanka’s Mirusuvil Massacre in Jaffna which
allegedly took place on 19 December 2000 of 8 Tamils including a 5year old
child.
Unlike the Mai Lai massacre which involved an entire military unit of
100 soldiers, and soldiers who admitted they committed shooting based on
orders, there is no evidence to show anyone witnessing Corporal Sunil Ratnayake
committing the murders or even holding the weapon with which the murders were
committed.
Sunil Ratnayake’s verdict was
based on CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE GIVEN BY A SOLE SURVIVOR (Maheshwaran)
Maheshwaran’s
testimony only accused Ratnayake of assault not murder.
Maheshwaran has
not said that he saw Sunil Ratnayake killing anyone or even holding a weapon.
Maheshwaran’s account of the incident as sole ‘witness’ is an exercise
in imagination.
Only he was lucky to get blindfolded and beaten unconscious despite
other men being present.
Only he had been carried by 2 Sri Lankan soldiers and tossed over the
fence and he was so lucky that the blindfold got caught to the barbed fence so
he could see but he didn’t see Sunil Ratnayake commit the crime.
He was the lucky one to be even taken to the supposed sight of the
‘murders’ and shown the crime and we have to next imagine him running clad only
in his underwear ¼ mile to his aunts where the next morning he was again lucky
enough for his father to come search & find him & both to complain to
EPDP office
Corporal Sunil Ratnayake was arrested under a UNP government in 2002
Corporal Sunil Ratnayake was convicted of murder in June 2015 also under
the same Govt that arrested him which had come to power to form a legally questionable
‘national government’ cobbled after a Presidential Election in January 2015.
Corporal Sunil Ratnayake was convicted under the same government in June
2015 while the Court acquitted the other 4 soldiers though all 5 were charged
under penal code sections 32, 146 and 296.
Nowhere in the judgement does
it state that Ratnayake personally killed any of the 8 victims.
If same charges were brought
against all 5 armed forces under penal code 32, 146 and 296 – why did 4 suddenly get acquitted on the ground
that their identities could not be established and only Sunil Ratnayake was
convicted.
The answer lay in the ‘interpretation’
of Penal Code Section 32 that a criminal act done
by several persons with common intent is equivalent to a single person committing
the act of crime alone.
How fair is it
to declare death sentence based on an interpretation sans concrete evidence of
anyone actually seeing him commit the murders?
How possible is it for ONE
PERSON to commit all 8 murders, dig a large hole to hide dead bodies and dig
another large enough ditch to bury the bicycles while all others stood watching
– even the Supreme Court admits this was ‘highly improbable’?
If so, is it fair to release
all others and pass all blame to one man based merely on a penal code
interpretation?
President Maithripala Sirisena released the very LTTE
suicide combatant who had attempted to kill him and the media clapped hands
chirping the act to be an embodiment of reconciliation. The same media are
howling against the pardoning of a soldier based on circumstantial evidence
without any proof that he committed the murders. They have completely
character-assassinated him as a ‘murderer’ and ‘butcher’ without any thought
for the long-term repercussion to him & his family.
If Penal Code Section 32 was applied to LTTE it is more
than possible that some Tamil politicians linked to LTTE may also find
themselves behind bars!
The Abrahamic justice of eye-for-an-eye as against
compassionate justice of Dharmic philoshophy is the reason why close to 12,000
surrendered LTTErs have not been charged for their crimes & why 594 child
soldiers were also given a presidential pardon.
However, if justice is what is being sought then
definitely it is LTTE and all those connected to LTTE who must end up being
charged for their crimes.
The Sri Lankan President’s powers to pardon comes tagged to a process
that passes through the Attorney General, to the Minister of Justice for recommendation
and thereafter to the President. Therefore, all those barking should first read
Article 34(1) of the Constitution before howling. The howlers should ideally question the system that has actually failed
Corporal Sunil Ratnayake instead of demanding his death!
Have any of the entities issuing statements condemning the pardon even read the judgement? Probably not!
A word of praise is due to our President Gotabhaya, his team and
the doctors of the Health Service for the excellent manner they are tackling
the Coronavirus Epidemic.
Sri Lanka stands far ahead in the manner they are tackling the epidemic. We have so far had six deaths while the UK has some six hundred dead almost daily. Premier Boris Johnson seems lost and I hope he recovers and also regains the necessary strength.
President Gotabhaya and his team need no introduction to Sri Lankans. He is the leader that destroyed the monster LTTE that caused carnage in the entire island on a daily basis for three decades. That was when his protagonists chided him of fighting the battle in Pamankada. My own opinion is that he is the only person that can do that task.
Our health service has been always very efficient. I recall the afternoon when I had the occasion to carry the corpse of a lad I had fished out of the sea at Polhena. In my bathing trunk, I carried the corpse, barged into the consultation room at Matara Hospital, laid him down on a stretcher. I knew all the doctors and I requested them: “Please do what you can to bring him around.” In a corner of my mind, I was a bit worried that I had to give him a blow or two to bring him under control when he grabbed me. But I managed to control him and to swim with him to the shore. We did the tricks we laymen knew, but to all intents, he looked dead. The doctors attended at once. Consultants on duty rushed in to help. By four in the evening, I was informed that the lad’s life was saved. We did have a great Health Service and I am happy to note the yeoman service being provided today.
My humble message both to our Excellency and our Health Service is congratulations. The people are with you.
Coronavirus is taking its toll and there seems to be no end in sight. It may even cause the loss of our civilization.
Our President is at the forefront and we are extremely thankful
for action being taken.
It is hoped that a vaccine will soon be found. Generally, when a remedy, a vaccine is found in our capitalist world today, the pharmaceutical company obtains a patent and sells the product at a fanciful price. The firm is entitled to fix any price. Generally, the price fixed is so high that it is beyond the reach of ordinary people. No other company can even produce a similar version. Though a vaccine is found the Masses yet die because they cannot afford.
It so happens that my experience covers many areas of work both in
Sri Lanka and abroad and have had the occasion to make decisions re innovations
unearthed by officers who worked under my direction.
Coop Crayon. When I worked as the G.A. at Matara in 1971, the craze in me to establish an import substitution programme entirely on my own, because the Ministry of Plan Implementation was shy to approve any new programme, I directed my Planning Officer, Vetus Fernando, a chemistry graduate, to make a myriad of experiments to find the art of making a crayon. This was accomplished in three months of hard work, working from six to midnight every working day for three months. I decided that it should be a cooperative venture and authorized Sumanapala Dahanayake, the Member of Parliament of Deniyaya to establish it using cooperative funds as he was the President of the Morawak Korale Coop Union. Sumanapala established the Coop Crayon in three weeks, working day and night. I and the Katcheri stalwarts worked day and night with the workers, training them. We made it equal to the Reeves of those days. Though We administrators and Sumanapala developed it to have islandwide sales, President Jayawardena saw to its closure. Firstly he sent NT Ariyaratne Deputy Director of Cooperative Development to audit and find something wrong to hang Sumanapala. The Deputy Director had to report after a few days of auditing that the industry was sound and paying. However, the industry was run down on the IMF dictate that the public sector should not attend to any trade or industry. Though an excellent industry we failed to take a care-a loss to our country.
The Youth Self Employment Programme of Bangladesh was designed and established by me when I worked as the Commonwealth Fund Advisor on Youth Development to the Ministry of Labour and Manpower. The details of the programme-the peculiar basic economics involved in guiding drop out youths who had forgotten even to read and write, the basis of nonformal education – active participation, the art of guiding youths to build up their abilities and capacities as they struggled and strove to establish their commercial ventures to become successful commercial entrepreneurs and get trained in short special sessions, were all decided by me in two hours of intense debate between me and the Secretary to the Treasury of Bangladesh, the highest officer in the country
when he objected to my suggestion that a youth self-employment programme should be approved. He vetoed it because an ILO attempt in the earlier years had resulted in a massive loss to the Treasury. I designed an established programme and trained the staff of youth directors to continue it and today it is the premier programme of youth employment creation that has guided three million to become self-employed. When I met Mr Asafuddowlah, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry in London, some ten years later, he told me that the “World Bank has made several attempts to take over, fund and control the YSEP which was firmly resisted by the administrators in charge” (2006:p.423). Today this Programme is firmly guarded by the Government as their own.
While Coop Crayon was sacrificed at the instructions of the IMF,
the YSEP is today the guarded programme of the Government of Bangladesh.
May I humbly request our President Gotabhaya to direct the MRI and our Universities to find a vaccine to counter this coronavirus before it eats up our civilization and more let me plead of him to establish the making of this vaccine under state control, managed by the most respected scientists and the ablest of administrators so that it will help humanity and not be used for the cause of making fanciful profits. Our experience has been that though vaccines have been found Masses die because they cannot afford to buy it.
May I close with a word of thanks again to our President and our
Prime Minister for their
the yeoman service in tackling the coronavirus.
Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D. Michigan State University Former G.A.Matara
Author of:How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka and Alternative Programmes of
Success,(Godages:2006)
How the IMF Sabotaged Third World Development(Kindle/ Godages:
2017)
In the cities and villages people in Sri Lanka have lived harmoniously helping each other and enjoying good times and share the sorrow
I have sadly noted that our neighbors do not even talk to
each other let alone distancing physically
People have become selfish like in the Western countries
where they do not even know who your Neighbour is
When a bread van, grocery van or vegetable van comes some people do not call their neighbors and share the information
I am afraid that we will take a long time to revive our close relationship in the society which had been in existence for many centuries, after the cessation of Corona Hostility
Dr. Sarath Obeysekera CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard Colombo Sri Lanka
